Went here for some sandwiches based on reviews after performing at the South Shore Music Circus. It was located in a nice part of town... typical of an affluent upper - middle class Boston suburb. The location was cramped and the service was slow, but we stuck it out. After we ordered and while We were waiting is when i first noticed i had crossed into the Twilight Zone.
What I hadn't noticed when We first came in was the little message on the chalkboard saying "all lives matter". I should have gathered the troops and left right then and there, but the kids with us had already opened their chips and We were pretty much committed. It still amazes me how privileged white Americans don't get it. We received our sandwiches, found a place to sit and stuck it out.
While we were eating I was amazed at the sheer number of blonde, blue eyed teenagers who began pouring through the doors after climbing out of their new Jeep Weanglers wearing variations of "Cohasset Lacross" t shirts. As they came in to order I noticed many of them practically glaring at us with open distaste as we ate our sandwiches.
It is important to note here...i am not black. I don't even belong to an ethnic minority. I am of European descent with French, German, and Irish roots... but the southern French dominates and I have very dark, olive skin, as do my children, and are often mistaken for Hispanic. when we lived in South Florida, plenty of folks actually thought we WERE Hispanic. My son also had a friend with him who IS Hispanic.
But, because we didn't look like we just got off the boat from Norway, I think it was assumed we all were in their town illegally. It was very, very strange. Once I was aware of it, the xenophobia permeating the establishment was palpable. Folks there seemed almost offend that I, and my children were eating sandwiches in this small, well reviewed shop... like we didn't belong there.
Thomas Sowelll, the well respected CONSERVATIVE writer and professor at George Mason has said "When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination ".
I can say that white privilege was on full display here. I felt it and I am white! God help the affluent but unaware Cape Verdean or Argentinian or Italian with a Tan who wanders into this shop.
Unless you look like your parents came from Sweden or Iceland, I would stay away. read more